City vs. Country

I vaguely remember a story from my childhood about a city mouse and a country mouse. And I say vaguely, because it seems one went to visit the other, but that’s about the extent of what I remember. But I can tell you my take on city vs. country.

For the last nearly 20 years, Jimmy and I have lived five and a half miles north of Monticello on Hwy. 11. Even though we were on a state highway, it was really country. Jimmy hunted the property, had a large garden, and at times we had chickens and hogs. Our neighbors had horses, and various and sundry other animals.

We lived on 10.5 acres. When we first moved in the nearest neighbors were a good ways away, then another house was built, bringing us closer neighbors, but still not right next to us. (That’s who has the horses.)

Well, we decided to downsize, and have purchased five-plus acres, and are building a smaller house. All good stuff. But the house isn’t built yet, so in the meantime, we are staying with our son, Jim. He only recently moved to Monticello himself, renting the house his sister had previously rented. (She found a beautiful house in Putnam County where she works, and moved there.)

So, we are living on Burney Drive, right down the street from my sister, and around the corner from our daughter, Hannah. It also happens to be the same neighborhood where I raised my children for years, having lived there for about eight years more than a two decades ago. The neighborhood hasn’t changed much…there’s still lots of young families, a little more rental property…generally an average residential neighborhood in town.

We are less than five minutes from everything! We can run to Ingles, the dollar store (either one), the drug store, and to the Square, and be there almost as soon as we leave the house. And, I do find myself making more trips to Ingles. It’s very convenient (and necessary as it is so poorly stocked).

As a matter of fact, when I lived in town with my young children, I proclaimed it was a great place to raise a family, and thoroughly enjoyed the children being able to roam about the neighborhood safely.

Fast forward 20+ years. The issues are still the same. Some of the vehicles seem to think Burney Drive, which runs between Tucker Circle and West Washington Street is a thoroughfare. They drive ridiculously fast. I remember when my children were little, it wasn’t unusual for the children on Burney Drive to play in the street. As a matter of fact, when my children would have occasion to go visit, I would sternly warn them about playing in the street.

It’s interesting to note, in the same neighborhood the same things are still happening. Cars were driving too fast down Burney Drive 20+ years ago.

I must say, Jimmy and I have discussed the difference in being in-town and out-of-town. It’s a lot quieter in the country. There’s an awful lot of barking dogs in the city. You might could tell your neighbors were outside in the country, but you couldn’t tell what they were doing. They had animals, but none loud enough to hear in the house, and I don’t remember any problems outside the house. Yes, there’s the occasional bark, peacock yell, but all in all, it was so much more peaceful.

It’s been nice being close to everything in the city…but we definitely prefer the country! It’s all about choices. We’ll trade the convenience for the quiet every day!